Tangled Temptations

Orlena sobbed, burying herself in Harvey's arms. Eloise, understanding, gently stroked her hair, and then gave Harvey a knowing look. She moved to Parker's side, smiled softly and thanked the uniformed people present.

Parker had a vague idea of what was happening and saw them out.

The house finally settled, but Orlena's suppressed sobs were still audible. Daniel seemed lost, but Eloise comforted him, whispering, "Mommy's not feeling well. Would you like me to play with you?"

Harvey picked up Daniel, softly telling Eloise, "I'll take Daniel to the office. You stay and comfort Orlena. It might be easier for her to talk to a woman."

Eloise acknowledged with a nod. She prepared some toys and snacks for Daniel, gave him a kiss, and closed the car door behind him.

Back at the Manor.

Parker sat on the sofa, smoking. He tapped the seat next to him, indicating Eloise to join him. "Pauline's with her now, Lou. Come, talk to me."

Eloise obeyed and sat down.

Parker was fond of her and their conversation was always comfortable. "I actually support Orlena and your uncle, but it seems Brett is in a difficult spot."

Eloise listened quietly.

After a while, he murmured, "If Brett can't make her happy, no one else can." After saying that, Parker left.

Eloise sat alone, sipping the tea a servant had poured for her. She took a while to comprehend Parker's words before a faint smile graced her lips. In truth, Parker was a great father, very open-minded.

She went upstairs to check on Orlena.

After a morning of conversation, Orlena had finally fallen asleep. Eloise gently tucked her in.

Downstairs, she found herself reminiscing about the past year. She couldn't forget the sight of Orlena standing in line with Daniel to buy smoothie. Orlena could only afford one cup after a long queue.

She dialed Brett's number. His voice was weary but gentle. "How is she?"

"She's okay. Just a bit sad." Eloise hesitated before asking the question that had been bothering her. "Brett, is it true what the papers are saying? Are you really getting engaged to Ms. Stephanie?"

There was a brief silence before Brett replied softly, "Take care of her for another six months."

Six months. All he needed was six months.

Eloise knew it was a sensitive topic and didn't probe further. They chatted about Daniel a little more. At his age, he should be starting kindergarten, but Brett was firmly against it. Therefore, Daniel ended up staying home for another year.

At four in the afternoon, Eloise picked up Linda.

Harvey had come home early and brought Daniel with him. The two children were playing on the piano, but Harvey didn't mind.

After a while, he asked a servant, "Where's my wife?"

The servant smiled. "Madam is preparing dinner for Linda and Daniel."

Harvey felt a warmth in his heart. Instead of going to the kitchen, he first checked

on Darrien, then took a shower and changed into his loungewear.

In the kitchen, the other servants tactfully excused themselves. Harvey

approached Eloise from behind, wrapped his arms around her and teasingly

kissed her behind her ear. "Is there anything for me?"

Eloise, busy setting the table, giggled and swatted him away. "The servants have prepared your meal."

Harvey's gaze dsrkened as he watched his wife.

Eloise was a perfect wife. She got along well with his parents and sister, took great care of their children, and maintained her figure and complexion. Even in their intimate moments, he never felt monotonous.

Yet, he was not content.

Harvey wondered if they were experiencing the seven-year itch or perhaps it was because his memory hadn't fully recovered, and Eloise couldn't find the feelings she once had? This made him feel ambivalent.

After dinner, as usual, he took care of Darrien, and Eloise put Linda and Daniel to bed. The two children, both inheriting the genes of the Noland family, looked adorable sleeping side by side.

Harvey brought some work back home. He worked in his study until 11 p.m., emerging somewhat tired. By the time he got back to the bedroom, Eloise was talking on the phone, probably to a classmate, judging from the faintly heard names of Max and Veronica.

As Harvey came in, Eloise hung up the phone. Looking at him, she said, "You must be tired, why not take a bath and go to bed?"

As always, she went to the cloakroom to fetch his clothes, each piece carefully ironed by her, even the smell of the detergent was familiar.

As a gentle and virtuous wife, she should be comforting to a man. However, Harvey couldn't bring himself to feel happy. It was all too formal; Eloise was playing the role of a perfect wife, taking care of him and the children, and occasionally performing marital duties. Whether she loved him or not, she seemed to never care. The fragment of memory he had lost, she had never bothered to ask about it again.

This sense of being neglected, of not being loved, grew day by day. He even doubted whether he was suffering from a psychological disorder and had even secretly visited a psychologist. The doctor said he had no disease. It was probably just a lack of satisfaction in their sex life.

At night, while he was waiting for Eloise to come to bed, he couldn't resist wondering, was twice a week not enough for a man of his age?

Eloise buried her face in the pillow.

His mind wandered, and naturally, so did hers. "What are you thinking about?" Harvey leaned over to kiss her.

Holding his neck lightly, Eloise hummed softly, "I was thinking about what to make for breakfast for Linda and Daniel tomorrow..."noveldrama

Harvey watched her quietly for a while, then held her slender waist.

The romantic moment ended. He got up to take a bath, and Eloise was stuck to

the bedsheet, her forehead seamed with small beads of sweat.

In the bathroom, there were faint hoarse sounds. She was surprised. Was Harvey... doing that? Wasn't he satisfied just now?

At this moment, as a wife, she should respect his privacy, allowing her husband to protect his dignity. Besides, she was really tired after a busy day. She took off her clothes and got into bed to sleep.

Half an hour later, Harvey came out of the bathroom, exuding a freshness. Looking at the woman in bed, he had inexplicably mixed feelings. He desired her, but no matter how passionately he embraced her, he seemed to get no response. Over the past several months, their life had not been bad. Yet, something was missing!

He didn't want Eloise to breathe in secondhand smoke, so he went to his study, lit a cigarette, and puffed slowly. He then convinced himself, that this life was good, and he should be content.

However, the black hole in his heart was getting bigger.

Late at night, the door was pushed open. Linda, dressed in a little white dress and holding a pillow, sneaked in and climbed onto her dad's lap.

Harvey set his troubles aside, kissed his little girl and asked, "Why did you run over here?"

"Daniel snores so loudly."

Harvey kissed his little girl in his arms, lied down with Linda on the sofa, and let

her sleep in his arms. Linda was not shy at all, she put her little feet on his belly and tickled him.